Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve-Anyonebeen there recently?

Posted from ( Lonely planet.com )
30-Jul-2009 09:51,by: okaygo,Posts: 33,Registered: 15/05/09

in September 2008 ... Russia’s Nobel Oil signed two contracts with the government that were collectively worth $94 million. Worringly, one of the areas covered under the contracts is the Hukawng Valley region, which is home to the world’s largest tiger reserve

a blogsearch.google.com query for Hukawng Valley turns up a lot of worrisome things..
(this alternate spelling had more results than the one used in the post title)
Posted:30-Jul-2009 14:16,by: infernoland33,Posts: 4,Registered: 27/07/9

The situation in Hukaung right now is quite complicated, and the tiger reserve at this point seems to be a reserve in name only, with rights being handed out by the government to explore for oil and uranium, as well as to convert vast jungle tracts into sugarcane plantations.

The situation with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is in fact tied to the election. Trouble started last yera when the KIA refused to endorse the constitutional referendum. The government responded with a variety of annoying, childish antics, like setting up roadblocks to extract extra taxes from Kachin people, confiscating mobile phones, etc.

Now the government wants the KIA (and other ethnic cease-fire groups) to act as a border guard for the Tatmadaw after the election. The KIA has said it is not interested in playing any such role, and rumor has it that they are re-arming and training young recruits in the event that war breaks out again. Government sources also name the Naga as a source of tension in Hukaung, but I don't believe it -- Naga rebels operate hundreds of miles away, much closer to the Indian border ...

This is the problem conservationists have in dealing with dictatorial governments: they can "create" wildlife reserves with a single signature, and then proceed to do what they want with the land anyway. Only a few years ago it was possible to see tigers crossing the Ledo Road, but now the few that are left seem to have fled towards the Chinese border, right into the hands of poachers who harvest tiger parts for medicinal purposes. Tiger penis soup, anyone?

Dr Rabinowitz seems to have all but abandoned Hukaung, given the obstacles he faces there. One glimmer of hope is that he believes there might be a bigger population of tigers in Tanintharyi Division, on the border with Thailand. Whether this area can be properly protected is another story. It would likely require the establishment of a cross-border protected area administered by both Myanmar and Thailand.

I don't know if Dr Rabinowitz has it in him to continue working in Myanmar. Even Lamphi Island in Myeik Archipelago, which he convinced the gov't to protect as a Marine National Park in the early 1990s, has been slated for hotel development under the unwise supervision of Evil Business Genius Tay Za. And Tay Za now has his grimy paws in the Putao area, with plans to expand Malikha Lodge after he bought it out from the original owner (who had wanted to keep it small, intimate, and unobtrusive). Tay Za says he wants to build a road all the way to Hkakoborazi so he can visit the highest peak in Myanmar without having to walk! Diseased thoughts from a diseased mind ...
Posted,01-Aug-2009 11:55,by: mateosh40,Posts: 105'Registered: 21/10/08
Here is a proposed itinerary that the travel agency Colombus Travels is offering for one person. I have convinced them to allow tent camping in Hukuang Valley for two nights. They have stated we will enter the tiger preserve. Please let me know if this seems like a good deal and if it is even possible. other travel agencies have expressed to me that it is not possible to enter the reserve because of elections. How can these guys be any different. Also they stated they will need 50% deposit before arrival and the rest upon arrival.
I am pleased to give you following suggested program and price
according to current flight schedule (Yangon - Myitkyina is operated on Tue,
Thu, Fri and Sun currently). And we need to apply permission well in advance
and it takes 20 working days at least.

Day 01 (Mon) Arrive Yangon with am flight

Meet on arrival at Yangon International airport transfer to hotel for check
in then Sule Pagoda, Maha Bandoola Park with Independence Monument, located
at the heart of the city, Chaukhtatgyi reclining Buddha image and the 2,500
years old magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda sheathed in 11 tons of pure gold and
4,350 diamonds weighing 1800 carats! At sunset, the Shwedagon offers
visitor a spectacular show of lights and shadows. Overnight at Parkroyal
Hotel ****, superior room.

Day 02 (Tue) Yangon - Myitkyina by flight - Tanaing by car

After breakfast at hotel transfer to airport for flight to Myitkyina. On
arrival drive to Tanaing (about 8 hrs drive). On arrival transfer and
overnight at Guest house.

Day 03 (Wed) Tanaing - Hukaung Valley
After breakfast trekking to Huakung Valley and overnight in jungle tent camping. Lunch
(B,L,D)Day 04 (Thu) Hukaung Valley
After breakfast proceed to trekking. Lunch and dinner and overnight in jungle tent camping (B,L,D)
Day 05 (Fri) Huakung - Shin Bweyan
After breakfast proceed to Shin Bweyan and you will see several of Kachin'
tribe people. Overnight at village. (B,L,D)
Day 06 (Sat) Shin Bweyan - Myitkyina by car (about 8 hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Myitkyina and overnight at Punsun Hotel. (B)
Day 07 (Sun) Myitkyina - Yangon by flight

After breakfast free and leisure until transfer to airport for flight to
Yangon. On arrival transfer to hotel and overnight at Parkroyal Hotel. (B)

Day 08 (Mon) Departure with evening flight

After breakfast visit to Botataung Pagoda, a famous landmark on Yangon's
waterfront where one can see Buddha's hair relic , and Nanthida Jetty to see
people coming and going for work from either side of the Yangon River. Then
tour continue to visit the Bogyoke market- a shopping market with more than
2000 shops selling all kinds of products but of special mention is the
beautiful exotic "Shan Bag" velvet slippers, lacquer ware, Gems shops and
all sorts of handicraft. Then transfer to airport for your Int'l flight. (B)

Tour cost for above program is USD 2375.00 per person based on 1 pax.
Valid from 01 Oct 2009 - 31 Mar 2010
Service Includes:
Accommodation with breakfast at single room basis
Transfer & sightseeing with private car
Lunch and dinner from Day 02 to 06
English speaking station guide fee
Porter fee & trekking guide fee
Permission fee

Royalty fee

Domestic flight for Yangon - Myitkyina - Yangon

Entrance fee

2 bottles mineral water and one snow tower will provide through
out trip on car

Service Excludes:

Meals on Day 01, 07 & 08
Beverages
International airport departure tax (USD 10 per person)
Visa fee & handling fee
Personal expenses such as camera fee, tips and etc.
Other services not mentioned above are excluded